Alaska News

Windy, dry weather spurs air-quality, wildfire warnings in Southcentral Alaska

UPDATE 9:30 AM WEDNESDAY

Dry, windy conditions have prompted the state Division of Forestry in Palmer to extend a ban on open burning to the entire Matanuska Valley.

That means no bonfires celebrating high-school graduations this week, officials say.

Open burning is not permitted from Chickaloon to Talkeetna, fire management officer Norm McDonald said. State fire managers on Tuesday announced a burn permit suspension from Meadow Lakes to Talkeetna to cover the Susitna Valley.

Central Mat-Su Fire Department crews this morning responded to an unattended burn pile, McDonald said. State and local crews are on alert, he said.

"Right now we're staffed fairly heavy. We've got the air tankers on, the helicopter on. We've got a crew positioned," McDonald said.

UPDATE 9AM WEDNESDAY:

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The Matanuska-Susitna Borough has issued an air quality advisory for areas with blowing dust, including Palmer, Wasilla and the Butte, from 8 a.m. today until winds subside. The air quality in these areas may become unhealthy to hazardous, the borough says.

Children, the elderly and people with heart or lung disease should stay inside and reduce physical activity. The general population should avoid vigorous outdoor activity. Daily information on air quality is available by calling (907) 352-3878.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Warm temperatures, dry weather and gusty winds triggered wildfire-danger warnings and burn bans Tuesday for a broad swath of the state.

The National Weather Service issued warnings from Bristol Bay to Fairbanks, the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage and the Susitna Valley. A red flag warning means "critical fire weather conditions are imminent or occurring," according to the weather service. In other words, conditions are right for wildfires to spark and spread.

As a precaution, Anchorage fire officials temporarily outlawed fire pits, campfires and chimneys starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday. That ban will continue until further notice, said John See, forester with the Anchorage Fire Department.

The only thing residents can ignite outside, without risking a fine, is a barbecue grill, said John See, forester with the Anchorage Fire Department.

See said if flames escape from the backyard fires it's likely they'll just keep burning, quickly moving through the parched grass and dry air. On Saturday, a lit cigarette left on a bike trail set about 1,000 square feet of grass and forested land aflame near Dimond High School, he said.

"If they need to smoke they need to smoke inside or be careful of how they discard their cigarettes," See said.

From 10 a.m. Wednesday until midnight, Anchorage remains under a red-flag warning for fire danger. Forecasters say wind gusts may reach up to 25 mph along the hillside with temperatures between 63 and 67 degrees and relative humidity as low as 15 percent.

State agencies have banned open burning on the Kenai Peninsula, around Tok, in the Fairbanks area, and in parts of the Mat-Su Borough: West Lakes, Big Lake, Houston and all fire-service areas north to Talkeetna.

Michael Lawson, a meteorologist with the weather service, said he expects the warm and dry weather to persist in Southcentral for much of the week with precipitation possible on Sunday.

But until rain falls, See said, "We're kind of holding our breath."

Reach Zaz Hollander at zhollander@adn.com or 257-4317. Reach Tegan Hanlon at thanlon@adn.com or 257-4589.

By ZAZ HOLLANDER and TEGAN HANLON

Anchorage Daily News

Zaz Hollander

Zaz Hollander is a veteran journalist based in the Mat-Su and is currently an ADN local news editor and reporter. She covers breaking news, the Mat-Su region, aviation and general assignments. Contact her at zhollander@adn.com.

Tegan Hanlon

Tegan Hanlon was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News between 2013 and 2019. She now reports for Alaska Public Media.

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